Mexico protests ICE migrant deaths, seeks investigations

In July 2026, Mexican nationals Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and an unidentified man were killed during ICE operations in Texas and Florida, and Colombian migrant Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was shot in Maine. Mexican authorities say a total of 17 Mexicans have died while in ICE custody this year.

President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the deaths, urging the United States not to "criminalize" migration and to respect human‑rights standards. She stressed that any unlawful deportation should be carried out within the framework of U.S. law and human‑rights protections.

Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri met U.S. officials, including State Department officials, to discuss the incidents. Mexico sent cease‑and‑desist letters to private detention‑center operators and to ICE, which the United States returned, advising Mexico to raise concerns through regular diplomatic channels.

Subsequent talks resulted in an agreement with ICE officials to explore mechanisms aimed at preventing further fatalities of Mexican nationals during immigration raids. Parallel reporting revealed that the ICE agent who shot the Colombian migrant, identified as David Brouillette, had a documented history of domestic‑violence allegations and mental‑health issues, prompting calls for scrutiny of ICE hiring and oversight practices.

The episode has heightened tensions between Mexico and the United States and sparked broader debate over ICE’s expanded operations and the treatment of migrants under U.S. immigration enforcement.